Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorization to Apply for a Wellness Grant - Confirm the Visalia Police Department’s grant submission and authorize the City to accept, and if awarded, appropriate $200,000 for the Fiscal Year 2025 Law Enforcement Mental Health Wellness Act Grant and submit.
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Prepared by:
Police Chief Jason Salazar, 559-713-4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city;
Police Captain Dan Ford, 559-713-4151, daniel.ford@visalia.city;
Lieutenant Jared Hughes, 559-713-4105, jared.hughes@visalia.city;
Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, 559-713-4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city
Department Recommendation:
Confirm the Visalia Police Department’s grant submission and authorize the City to accept, and if awarded, appropriate $200,000 for the FY 2025 Law Enforcement Mental Health Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Grant The grant performance period is for 24 months and is effective October 1, 2025.
Summary:
The Visalia Police Department recognizes the vital importance of optimizing the performance and mental health of its law enforcement personnel, particularly given the demanding nature of the profession. To address this need, Staff is proposing the implementation of a comprehensive performance coaching platform from Sharp Performance. This program is specifically designed to enhance the skills and resilience of officers in the field. It is an app-based program which offers virtual coaching sessions plus much more.
In alignment with the objectives outlined in the LEMHWA Program, the Department’s initiative seeks to not only enhance the mental well-being of Visalia Police officers but also contribute to the broader conversation surrounding mental health awareness and support within law enforcement agencies nationwide. The Department is dedicated to creating a culture of wellness and resilience within its organization, ensuring that officers have the tools and support they need to thrive both personally and professionally.
This platform will serve as a centralized resource hub, offering a range of specialized coaching programs aimed at improving focus, decision-making abilities, and stress management techniques among officers. Rooted i proven methodologies developed in collaboration with U.S. Military Special Operations teams, the performance coaching services are unparalleled in their ability to unlock the full potential of law enforcement professionals, as well as ensuring access for officers to be in direct contact with mental health professionals 24 hours a day while ensuring their personal privacy.
The Visalia Police Department currently has a 20-person peer support team and in addition to individual coaching sessions, this platform facilitates peer support networks. The Department also has established a Wellness Team, and a Chaplain Unit and offers annual heath screens. The application will help department personnel to have direct access to chaplain and peers support services already established with just a touch of a button.
The Sharp Performance coaching platform's evidence of impact and efficiency speaks volumes. With the analytics dashboard, administrators can discreetly monitor departmental wellness trends, tailor interventions, and preemptively address the mental health needs of their teams, while ensuring the privacy of individual officers. This data-driven approach ensures that our efforts are targeted and effective, ultimately resulting in a healthier and more resilient law enforcement community. It should be noted that included with the program, department wide training will be offered during the roll-out period provided by Sharp Performance.
Background Discussion:
The LEMHWA Grant is administered by the U.S Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS) Office. The COPS Office was appropriated $21 billion to advance community policing, which includes hiring new officers, school safety, violent crime, officer safety and wellness. The COPS Office FY2025 LEMHWA implementation Projects provide funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies. The COPS program is authorized under Omnibus Crime control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Title 1, Part Q, Public Law 103-322 34 U.S.C s 10381 et seq.
The funds are to be used to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement officers and their families through the implementation of peer support, training, family resources, suicide prevention, and other promising practices for wellness programs. There will be 55 awards given for a total amount of funds of $8,850,000 available.
The COPS Office implemented the LEMHWA Grant program in recognition of the unique challenges faced by law enforcement first responders created by the nature of the work, exposure to critical incidents, and the impacts on officer wellness. Best practices in addressing officer wellness, reducing police suicides, and building more resilient first responders have shown to include access to culturally competent mental health providers who specialize in first responder therapy, regular wellness check-ins, and the use of physical fitness and yoga practices to improve the overall wellbeing of first responders.
Fiscal Impact:
Appropriate $200,000 for a sole source purchase of the Sharp Performance Program. The cost of the two-year Sharp Performance Program is projected for $200,000. The Grant allows for a sole source purchase of equipment and services and does not require prior approval unless the purchase is more than $250,000. However, the application does not include information on the City’s sole source requirements, and a justification is included in the application package and is attached to this report. The application was submitted on June 26, 2025; due to time constraints, the application was submitted and Staff is asking for the Council to confirm the award of the grant. Awards will be announced in September 2025.
Prior Council Action: N\A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Confirm the Visalia Police Department’s grant submission and authorize the City to accept, and if awarded, appropriate $200,000 for the FY 2025 Law Enforcement Mental Health Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Grant and
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 7/21/2025
Attachments: Grant Solicitation, Sole Source Fact Sheet, and VPD 2025 LEMHWA Sole Source